15 Dec China Collects DNA, Other Biometrics from Xinjiang Residents
Human Rights Watch recently reported that Chinese authorities are building a database of blood types and iris scans, and are currently collecting biometric data including DNA samples and fingerprints from residents of Xinjiang aged 12 to 65.
China director at Human Rights Watch Sophie Richardson said that the mandatory databanking, which is being done under the guise of a free healthcare program, is a gross violation of international human rights norms.
Regarded as an “open-air prison” by privacy advocates, the far western region of China is populated by over 11 million Uighurs, a Muslim Turkic minority.
Source: The Guardian
